Interview with Country Music Singer C. Michael Gray

C. Michael Gray is an Auto Mechanic by trade and sings country music for a living. He loves to sing and has been doing it now on stage for the world to hear for over ten years. He has a self-titled debut album that was recorded last year, and is for sale now. He has been played on the radio all over Missouri. (Maybe you have heard him?) The song most played is Angels in the snow. Click on the links at the bottom of the page to hear a verse and a chorus of four of the songs taken off his ten song debut album. C. Michael Gray has a deep rich voice that is both beautiful and truly authentic. After hearing some of his music I am sure you will agree C. Michael Gray has a long talented career ahead of him.

Interview with C. Michael Gray up and coming new country music singer!

Hello C. Michael Gray, I am a fan could you please tell me a little about yourself? Like where were you born, and what got you started in music?

Hi there. It's great to talk with you. Well, for starters, I was born and raised in the hills of Southeast Missouri. I come from a very musical family steeped in country and bluegrass, so I guess you can say I was born into country music.

If there is one thing you could tell someone else trying to start in this field of music what would that be?

C.M.G Answers: Do not ever give up on your dreams. It can be really hard to get started, but you should not let that discourage you. Just keep on singing...

Diana Asked: Is country music the only type of music you are looking to stay in, or is there any others you are interested in as well?

No, there are other types of music that I am interested in doing. I have been asked to do a gospel album, which I will probably do, and would like to do more bluegrass later on down the line. I have even considered doing some alternative rock, but that is just a thought. (laughs!)

On your new album you have ten songs you sing, is there any you like more then others? Do you have a favorite, if so please tell us why you like this song the best?

I would have to say that "Angels in the Snow " is probably my favorite. The moment I heard the demo for it, I started to cry, and when I tried singing it for the first few times, I could not finish it without tearing up. It is a very emotional song.

Do you write and play any music of your own? Can we look forward in the future to hearing something maybe you will have written and sang?

I have written a few songs, although I do not think they are very good, and I am working right now with some other songwriters, trying to create a perfect country song for my voice, but I am not much of a writer. I play a little guitar, but just enough to be dangerous. (Laughs!!)

Ok let's get a little personal. (Smile) Have you ever been married? Any kids? Is there a special someone in your life right now?

(Blush) No, I have never been married, nor do I have any kids, at least not that I know of. Just kidding. And yes I am actually engaged to a wonderful, beautiful woman right now; although after she reads that "kid's remark" I may not be engaged for long. No, I have never known love till I met her, she is my everything, I love you sweetie...

Do you have a musical influences? If so please tell us about them and how they have influenced you?

I would have to say that Merle Haggard has been the biggest influence for me. Growing up without much to do, the family would sit around after supper and play well into the night, and "House of Memories" by Merle Haggard is the very first song I have ever sung. I learned to play the guitar with his music and I am still a devoted Haggard Fan today.

What would you say is the hardest thing about getting into country music and getting your name known?

Well, for me the hardest thing was the money. It takes quite a bit to get started, and if you are poor like me, spending hard-earned cash on a possibility is somewhat hard to do. It's up to the fans to say whether or not you are good enough.

If you had one wish for your music, what would that wish be and why?

Well, of course I want my music to do great, but I would like to do well enough to get the chance to sing with some of my heroes, like Merle (Haggard) and George (Strait) just to name a couple.

Can you tell us the feeling you get when you are on stage? What is it like, and where is the place you go to most often so that if any fan is ever in town they may come to hear you live?

It is unlike anything Miss Diana, when you are on stage and the crowd is cheering, it is the greatest feeling in the world. It's like Christmas morning and Birthdays all rolled into one. I go out to Sam's Place in Malden MO a lot to sing karaoke with friends and just have fun, so people can find me there at least every other weekend.

I want to take this time to thank C. Michael Gray for his time in doing this interview, and wish him all the luck in the world with his new country music career! I think we will be hearing a lot from him, so keep an ear out. He is looking into starting a new CD at the end of 2007, and I know I will be first in line to hear it. How about you?